The View from Shute End...

Wokingham District Councillor Annette Drake reports

NHS Foundation Trust Status

The Government is making proposals to change the NHS, one of which involves a bid from the Royal Berkshire Hospital (RBH) for Foundation Trust status.

The concept behind Foundation Trust Hospitals is to increase the opportunity for local people to have a meaningful say in the operation of their local acute hospital. It is Government policy that all provider trusts must become Foundation Trusts by 2008. In summary:

• An NHS Foundation Trust is a completely new kind of NHS organisation
• Local people will have a real say in running their local hospital by becoming members
• The NHS become accountable to local people rather than to politicians in central government
• The Trust is accountable through a members’ council
• Trusts are still accountable to Parliament
• This is not a privatisation of the NHS
• Trusts are free to capitalise on local resources and their own financial success.

As Chairman of the Health Select Committee I would be interested in your comments on this proposal.

Tape Lane - Refusal of the retention of the field access

I would particularly like to pay tribute to Wendy Tobitt, who spoke so well and in a very informed manner on the environmental impact the proposal would have, with the destruction of the ancient hedgerow and the probable damage to the veteran oak. I would also like to mention the residents who were present and very supportive: Wayne Smith from the Parish Council, Professor David Bassett, Mr & Mrs Davis, Mrs Prince and Mr John Wolff. My sincere thanks to you all; without your help and support the outcome would have been very different.